Less than a year before Nigeria holds its third national
elections since the end of military rule in 1999, tensions
are running high in the southern Niger Delta. A number
of militant groups have begun allying themselves to local
politicians with electoral aspirations. These groups and
others continue to use legitimate grievances, such as poverty,
environmental destruction and government corruption,
to justify increasingly damaging attacks against government
and oil industry targets. Removing the incentives for
violence will require granting a degree of resource control
to local communities. Engaging Delta groups in sustained,
transparent dialogue also remains critical to finding a
solution to the militant puzzle. Equally important, credible
development efforts must be supported and stiff penalties for
corruption imposed upon those who embezzle and
squander funds.